BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS

Oops! Principal apologizes for pro-Obama video

'It conveyed a message that people serve the presidency'

Drew Zahn covers movies for WND as a contributing writer. A former pastor, he is the editor of seven books, including Movie-Based Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching, which sparked his ongoing love affair with film and his weekly WND column, "Popcorn and a (world)view." Drew currently serves as communications director for The Family Leader.

A school district in Wisconsin was compelled to issue an apology this week after it attempted to motivate students with a video where celebrities pledge “service” to Barack Obama.

On Wednesday, the Hudson Middle School showed the “I Pledge” video, produced n 2009 by celebrity Obama backers Ashton Kutcher and Oprah Winfrey, as part of Peace One Day, an annual effort to encourage students toward community involvement and volunteerism.

But as WND reported, the “I Pledge” video, featuring numerous celebrities pledging to be active in various social causes, also includes distinctly partisan messages.

Tattooed celebrity Anthony Kiedis of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers, for example, states while kissing his own biceps, “I pledge to be of service [kiss] to Barack Obama [kiss].”

Actress Demi Moore also chimes in, saying, “I pledge to be a servant to our president.”

The day after showing the video, the Hudson School district publicly issued the following apology: “The Middle School and District apologize for the use of the ‘I Pledge’ video. The reason the video was used was to show students small ways to make a difference in their communities. Most of the video provided viewers with examples like: end hunger in America; volunteer more; always represent your country with pride, dignity and honesty; and care for America’s elderly.

“Unfortunately, the video also had a political slant,” the apology continued. “The District is non-partisan and does not endorse the political messages found in this video.”

The Middle School Principal Dan Koch also reportedly made the following announcement to students Thursday afternoon: “The ‘I Pledge’ video we viewed yesterday included some messages about serving President Barack Obama. We apologize for any part of the video that was offensive to students, their families and staff. The video conveyed a message that people serve the presidency, when in fact our elected officials serve the people. We respect the Office of the President of the United States, but like all of our other elected officials, that office serves each of us as well. I sincerely hope that as participants in Wednesday’s event what you took away from the experience was to choose to make a difference in your world.”

The public apology further admitted showing the video was a “mistake” and said it “will not be used in the district again.”